Electric switch apparatus



Sept. 23 1924.

A. c. GAYNOR ELECTRIC SWITCH APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet l M W a Sept. 23, 1924. 1,509,200

A. C. GAYNOR ELECTRIC SWITCH APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZLdW IIYVENTOR.

' Sept. 23, 1924. 1,509,200

A. C. GAYNOR ELECTRIC SWITCH APPARATUS F ed e 22. 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 BY I A; ATTORNEZ.

Sept. 23, 1924. W 1,509,200

A. C. GAYNOR ELECTRIC SWITCH APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 7 flb A INVENTOI? LAL'A TTORNEY Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

ARTHUR C. JGA YNOR, OF STBA'IFORD, CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC swrrcn urma'rus.

Application filed December 22, 1919. Serial No. 346,528.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR C. GAYNOR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Stratford, county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switch Apparatus, of which the folowing is a speci cation.

This invention realtes to electrical apparatus and with regard =to the more specific features thereof, to switching mechanism for the control of electrical circuits on motor vehicles.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide reliable mechanism of the above type, which shall be susceptible of manipulation for making circuit adjustment desired while the vehicle is in motion, without diverting the attention of the driver, chauffeur, or pilot from the controls.

Another ob'ect is to provide a switching mechanism the above type, which shall be simple and compact in construction, and which shall substantially eliminate the need for the exercise of selection or judgment in 'making any switching connection desired while the vehicle is in motion.

Another object is to provide a simple and dependable switch mechanism for the lighting system of a vehicle, which may be set' to be suitable for different conditions of operation, as for instance for road or for city use, and which shall readily be susceptible.

for connecting any of the various combinations of lamps used under each of the different conditions of operation.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the followin claims.

Re erring now to the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of this invention;

Fig. l is a side elevation of my switching mechanism mounted in place; parts of the bracket being shown brokeniaway.

.Fig. 2 is a perspective of the switchin mechanism as mounted in place, viewed from the side of the finger piece.

Fig. 3 s a ra sverse sectional view on an showing the position of the ratchet in dottedlines.

Fig. is a perspective view of the sup port plate with the lever and spider in place thereon. a

Fig. 11 shows an end view of the bracket and a transverse section therethrough.

Fig-12 is a diagrammatic view of the switch in off position.

Figs. 13, 14, and 16 are diagrammatic views of the switch showing various oper-' ative positions, and

Fig. 17 is' a. diagrammatic view 'ofthe electrical connections for my switch.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, I have shown a steerin column 1 of an automobile with the usual orm of steerin wheel 2 mounted thereon. Attached to the steering column I provide a bracket 3, preferably provided with a hollow arm 4 formed from a sheet metal blank. One end of the arm is bent to partially embrace the steering column, and a clasp member 5 is pivoted thereto, preferably by having a turned up portion 6 fitting 1nto a slot 7 near the extreme end of the bracket member. A screw 8 is provided near the free end of the clasp portion'to be threaded into a metal slug 8 within the bracket arm 4' for securely clamp-' in the bracket onto the steerin column. y switchingunrh. designate in its entirety by the letter S, is preferably secured to the outer end of the arm 4. For this purpose a stud 9' rigidly secured to the casing 10 of the-switching unitS fits into an'aper ture in tongue 9, said tongue being formed as an integral switching extension of one side of the bracket arm 4 as best shown in Fig. 2. A nut'73 is threaded upon the outer end of the stud, serving to clamp switching unit S against tongue 9.

A s shown 1n Figs. and 2, the braketis conductors passing through an aperture 16- preferably of such length that the outer edge of the switching mechanism is adjacent the rim of the steering wheel, this switching mechanism being preferably provided with a single operating finger piece 11 adjacent the rim of the wheel, so that the driver, chauffeur or pilot may manipulate the switch, preferably with the little finger of his right hand Without removing his hand from the steering wheel or other control.

Referring; now to the detailed construction of mv switching mechanism, the same comprises a cylindrical base or box member 10 having an integral ledge 12, upon which is mounted an insulating slab 13. 'Flush with the upper surface of the'in'sulating slab as at 14 there are a plurality of electrical contacts, the preferred arrangement of which will appear more fully below.

- Each of the electrical contacts has a binding post. terminal 15 below the slab and within the box, and to each of said terminals is connected a conductor, all said in the side of said base member and extending through the length of the hollow arm 4. and emerging therefrom at an aperture 17 adjacent the steering column, for connection to the battery or other source of current, and to the lamps or other translating devices, in a manner which will be fully described below.

The insulating slab 13 is retained against rotation within the box or base member, by means of a small lug 18 projecting from the inside of the box and extending into a shallow depression 18 in the edge of said slab. In the specific form of switch shown in the drawings, I haveindicated eight fixed contacts upon the insulating slab, the contacts 19, 20, 21., 22 and 23 being arranged approximately on the arc of a circle, having its center at C, eccentrically of the base 10, and'the contacts 24, 25 and 26 together with the contact 19 being on the arc of another circle with a diameter of the same dimension as the first circle, having its center at D. The center of the base is shown at B, intermediate the two centers C and D.

. (lo-operating with the stationary contacts on the slab, I provide a movable switch member, preferably in the form of a spider 27 having six arms 46, each provided with an integral contact shoe 47. This spider has approximately the same radius as'the circles on which the fixed contacts are arranged, and it will be seen that when the center of the spider is aligned with the center C, the contact shoes of the spider may co-act only with contacts on the circle having point C as its center. When the axis of the spider is aligned with center D, the shoesmay contact only with.contactsequidistant from this .center, that is, with contacts 19, 24, 25, 26,

andwhen the spider is arranged co-axially small lug 29, extending inwardly from its periphery. A support plate 30 is pivoted to said lug by means of the unthreaded shank portion 31' of a screw 31, the end of which is threaded into lug 29. The end of .the support plate 30 remote from its pivot 31' rests against a ledge 32 formed integrally with the cover member.

Thespider member 27 is secured to, the support plate 30 bymeans of a screw 33 extending centrally through the spider and threaded into the support plate 30. The elements between the spider and the support plate will be described below.

For adjusting the position of the support plate 30 about its pivot 31', in order to bring the axis of the spider into alignment with center B or C or D, I provide a setting or index ring 34 preferably milled at its periphery as at 35, the said ring having a pin 37 secured thereto and extending radially inwardly through an elongated slot 36 in the base member.

The pin 37 i overlaps the insulating slab 13, thus aiding and holding the same firmly against removal from the base member. The

support plate 30 is formed at the end adjacent ledge 32 with an integral downwardly extendin lug, bifurcated as at 38 to straddle pin 37 when the cover is assembledupon the box member, as best shown in Fig. 3.

By preference, a spring latch is provided for securing the setting or index ring 34 against undesired displacement. This latch preferably comprises a leaf spring 41 secured by way of example, by riveting as at 40 to the inner surface ofthe side of the shell base or box member 10. A ball 74 is soldered or otherwise connected to the outer end of the leaf spring 41 to form a rigid part thereof, said spring urging said ball through an aperture 42 in the shell member and into any one of the three depressions 43, 44 or 45, in-- the inner surface of the indexor setting ring 34, depending upon the position of the latter element.

By preference, the indications off, city and road-or their equivalent (not shown) are provided upon the box or cover member, and an arrowor similar indicating mark (not shown) is provided uponthe setting or index ring, said indications corresponding one to each of the three possiblelatched positions of the setting rings. I It will thusbe seen that a turn of'the index-ring will cause the pin 37 by reason of its co-operation with bifurcated lug 38 to rotate the supporting plate 30 about its pivot justed for oil, the center of t e spider is at the center B of the base; when said ring is set for road, the center of the spider is at the center 0 of the base, and when the setting or index rin is adjusted for city the 1c)enter of the spider is at the point D on the ase.

I provide mechanism for adjusting the spider about its axis to effect the various different connections required in use, both when the spider is set for road use and when it is set for city use, all as will appear more fully below.

For this purpose, I preferably provide a switch operating lever 7 5 which rests amst the lower surface of plate 30 (Fig. 3) and is pivoted to the cover member by the same screw 31, by which the support plate is pivoted thereto. One arm of the operating lever projects from the box as shown in the drawings, to constitute the finger piece 11, and the other arm extends into the box and has rigidly secured thereto, near its inner end an upwardl extending pin 48 fitting into an elongat arcuate slot 4.9 in the supportin plate.

To t e side of the supporting plate, opposite that against which the operating lever rests, there is secured by means of a screw 50, a spring 51, which urges the pin 48 toward the end 49 of the slot 49, thus normally maintaining the lever 75 with the finger piece 11 in raised position.

By preference, the operating lever actuates the switch contact spider 27 through a pawl and ratchet mechanism 52. For th s pur ose the spider member has a metallic bac. ing plate 54 insulated therefrom by nsulatin washer 55, and a ratchet 53 coaxial with t e spider rests upon said backing member. A bushing 33' serves to retain the spider, the backing plate 54 and the ratchet 53 in rigid assembly. The screw 33 heretofore mentioned, a'sses through this bushing and when threa ed into the support plate 30 it mounts the spiderv and ratchet ass-em bly in position with respect to said support plate, with the ratchet in face to face contact with said plate. The inner arm of the operating lever is preferabiy in the plane of the re b and formed i circling: said ra 3 A. ratchet, is base int-o inner against the side of the pawl to maintain it in engagement with a ratchet tooth.

-By preference, the ratchet is formed with twice as many teeth as the spider has arms. In the partic'ular device shown in the drawings, the ratchet thus has twelve teeth. It

'will thus be apparent that by'each ratchet operation the spider will be rotated through halfthe angle between ad'acent arms, so that the spider has two e ective positions about its axis.

The cover member is formed with a pilot flange 59, for telescopic fit into the box member, the said flange being cut away at to make room for the spring latch 41, and being further cut away at 61 to allow the pin 37 to connect with the bifurcated lug on the support member within the cover. The rim of the pilot flange 59 fits into a peripheral groove 78 in the slab 13 and rests against said slab.

The cover member is detachably secured to the base member, preferably by a bayonet slot connection, two diametrically opposite bayonet slots 79 being cut into the pilot flange 59 for co-operation with bayonet pins 62 and 63, extending inwardly from the base or box member. Corresponding notches 64 are formed in the insulating slab 13 to allow the latter to be inserted into the box with the pins 62 and 63 previously secured in place. A set screw 65 extends through an opening 66 in the box member and is threaded into the pilot flange 59 of the cover member for preventing loosening of the bayonet connection by the vibration of the vehicle. An aperture 67 is formed in the setting or index ring 34 which when brought into registry with screw .65 will allow access thereto for permitting assembly or disassembly of the mechanism.

In Fig. 17, l have shown diagrammatically the preferred form of circuit in which my switch may be conveniently used. By way of illustration, if have indicated merely diagrammatically, the ordinary form of elec tric generator 70- and storage battery 71 and the usu form or" automatie switch at 72. sationary contacts of the switch der 2'? are indicated in their aprelative positiongcohtact 19 cone ground, contacts 20 and 24 to lights indicated by the letter 23 to the headlights indicated by contac s 21 and sees the tail 1 of the con ected to I- We; ex-annals "Xian (Fig. n of the with, but none of the shoes is at any time in electrical connection with any of the remaining contacts. When the center of the spider is in the position shown in Fig. 12. the switch is thus always inoperative.

, When the switch is in position for city running (Figs. 13 and 14) the spider may place both the dimmer lights and the tail light in circuit, as shown in Fig. 13, the other lights being out of circuit. In Fig. 14 in which the spider has each arm disposed angularly midway between the positions of the arms in Fig. 13, the tail light and curb light are in circuit and the remaining lights are out of circuit.

When the switch is adjusted for road use, it will be seen by reference to Fig. 15 that the spider'may be set to place the head and tail light in circuit and the remaining lights out of circuit. When the spider is in the position of Fig. 16, with'each arm angularly midway between the arms in Fig. 15, the

dimmer, tail and pilot light are in circuit and the remaining lights are out of circuit.

At least one of the shoes of the spider being at all times in engagement with ground contact 19, it follows that when any of the fixed contacts 20 to 26 inclusive is engaged by the spider as in Figs. 13, 14, 15 or 16, a circuit is closed from a terminal of the battery or of both the generator and the battery to the main 80 to the contact or contacts in question by wayof the corresponding light or lights, through the spider to contact 19, and thence to ground and back to the grounded terminal of the battery and generator. Thus one or more lights are necessarily always on when the setting ring is in any operative position. v

' In operation, when it is desired to run in the city after dark the index or setting ring 34 is placed in the city position and is automatically locked therein by spring latch 41 snapping into depression 43 in said ring. When the ring is thus set, the center of the spider is in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and when the spider is in the angular position of Fig. 13 the dimmer lights and the tail light only are in circuit. VVhenthe car is to be brought up to the curb for a stop the chauffeur or driver merely depresses the finger piece with his little finger. withoutneeding to remove his hand from the steering wheel, and by this depression the operating lever 75 through the pawl 56 rotates the ratchet 53 through one tooth,

49 in the supportplate 30, storing energy in spring 51, and when the finger is removed from, finger =11, spring 51 urges lever 7 5 about its pivot, to restore finger piece 11 to its raised position.

,When it is desired again to start the automobile, the driver will while grasping the steering wheel, again depress the operating lever in the manner just described advancing the spider through a further angle of thirty degrees, and the switch is thus again brought to the efi'ecting position shown in Fig. 13, each arm occupying the position previously occupied by the arm immediately preceding it. The dimmer and tail lights are thus again on for city travel.

In the city position of the switch, as shown in Figs-13 and 14 the headlight contact 23 and the pilot light contact 22 are out of the range of the spider, and the corresponding lightscannot be operated. In ordinary driving these lights are not desired in city use.

Then it is desired to run on the highways or in the country, the setting or index ring' is rotated to the position indicating road 'use.

By thi adjustment, the pin 37 on the index ring rotates the support plate 30 through the bifurcated lug 38' about the pivot 31 of said plate, bodily moving the axis of the spider 27 together with the ratchet- 53 into the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the spring latch 41 snapping into place in depression 45 in the setting ring to hold said ring and with it the spider in the adjusted position.

Successive depressions of the finger piece 11 in the same manner as above described in connection with city use, will now place the switch in either the position shown in Fig. 15, or that shown in Fig. 16. In Fig. 15

the head and. tail lights are on, the dimmer and pilot lights ofl. In Fig. 16 the dimmer, tail and pilot lights are on and the head light is OH. The curbor side light contact 26 is out of the range of the spider when set for road use, as such light is ordinarily not used whentraveling on a highway. Thus in road use, when running with the bright head-lights on, if the chaufii'eur should wish to eliminate the glare on seeing an approaching vehicle, he merely depresses the finger piece 11 with his little finger without having to remove his hand from the steering wheel, and thereby substitutes the dimmer lights for the, head lights, and also puts on the pilot light. When the dangerlis past, a further depression of the finger piece reestablishe the circuit of Fig. 15 in which the head and tail lights are on, the dimmer and pilot lights o'fl';

During the daytime when no lights are needed, the setting or index ring is placed to circuits, as above It will be understood that although Ihave described my switch particularly as applied to the lighting circuits of road vehicles, such as automobiles, it is applicable to other forms of vehicles, such as boats and airplanes and that the switch may be used for control circuits other than lighting circuits. By way of example, the switch may be applied to ignition circuits, to fan circuits, to cigar lighting circuits, and to a variety of other uses which will readily suggest themselves.

It should also be noted that the switch settin means controlled by the index ring for each setting or for both.

It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus well adapted to meet the requirements of practical use. As many modifications may be made of the invention as exemplified in the construction shown and described, the specific disclosure is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an automotive vehicle, a lighting switch having two sets of terminals having one terminal in common, a single finger actuated operating means for effecting all switch adjustments required when said switch is set for use with either set of ter minals, and a settin device for setting said switch to control either of said sets, said setting device operating independently of the position of said single finger actuated means.

2. The combination, in an electric switch, of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of groups, each group having a distinct center, a. complementary rotatable switch member, and means for placing the axis'of said member at any one of said centersindependently of the position of said rotatable switch member.

'3. The combination, in an electric switch, of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon; saidpontacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups having one 'terminal in common, each group having a. distinct center, a complementary rotatable switch member, a support for the latter pivoted with respect to said base, and means for shifting said support to place the axis of said switch member at any one of said centers.

4. The combination, in an electric switch, of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed there on, said contacts being arranged in'a plurality of circular groups having one terminal in common, each group having a dis tinct center, a complementary rotatable switch member, a support for the latter pivoted with respect to said base, and a setting member connected to said support for shifting he latter to place said rotatable switchmember into coaxial relation with any one of said groups, and means for retaining said member against accidental displacement from set position.

5. The combination, in an electric switch,

of a base, a plurality of contactsfixed there-.

on, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups, each group havlng a distinct center, a complementary rotatable switch member, a support for the latter pivoted with respect to said base, a setting ring concentric with said base, said ring controlling an inwardly extending pin co-operating with a slot in said support, for shifting the latter to bring said switch member into co-axial relation with any one of said groups.

6. The combination in an electric switch, of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups, each group having a distinct center, one contact being common to a plurality of said groups, a rotatable switch contact spider, a support for the latter pivot'ed'with respectto said base, a setting ring encircling said base and having an inwardly extendin pin, said support having a bifurcated lug for lodging said pin, whereby said support may be shifted by said ring to bring said spider into co-operation with any one of said groups of contacts.

7. The combination in an electric switch of a box comprising a base and a cover secured thereto, said base having a plurality of contacts fixed thereto, said cover having a movable switching membermounted thereon, and a setting member encircling said box and connected with said switching member for setting the position, thereof.

8. The combination in an electric switch of a cylindrical box com rising a base and a cover detachably secure thereto, said base having a x plurality of contacts mounted thereon, said cover having a cO-operating switching member mounted thereon, a sett-in ring encirclin said box and means connec ed therewith or setting the position of theswitch. i

9. The combination in anelectric switch,

of a cylindrical box comprising a base and a cover detachably secured thereto, said base having a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said cover having a switchin member pivoted thereto, and a setting ring encircling-said box, and having a connection with said switching member.

10. The combination, in an electric switch, of a cylindrical box comprising a base and a cover detachably secured thereto, said base having a plurality of contacts fixed thereon,

' said cover having a switching member pivoted thereto, a setting ring encircling said box and having a connection with said switching member, and means for retaining said switching member against accidental displacement from set position.

11. The combination, in an electric switch, of a cylindrical box comprising a base and a cover detachably secured'thereto, said base having a plurality of contacts thereon, said cover having a switching member dpivoted thereto, a setting ring encircling sai box, a pin and slot connection between said ring and said switching member, and means automatically latching said ring in any position corresponding to a switch setting.

12. The combination, in an electric switch,

of a cylindrical box, comprising a base and a cover detachably connected thereto, said box having a plurality of groups of contacts, a set of complementary contacts mounted on said cover, and a setting ring encircling saidbox and connected to said complementary contacts toplace the same into oo-operation with any one of said groups.

13. The combination, in an electric switch, of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups, each group having a distinct center, a cover for said base, said cover hitting a switch contact spider eccentrically "pivoted thereto, and a setting ring encircling 'said box and connected to said spider to set the same for co-operation with any one of said groups.

14. The combination, in anelectric switch,

of a box, an insulating slab upon the base.

thereof, a plurality of contacts fixed in said slab, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups, each group having a distinct center, a cover for said box, a switch contact spider, a support therefor eccentricall pivoted to said cover, a setting ring encirc ing said box, and a connection between said ring and the free end of said support. a

15. In combination, a switch contact spider, a ratchet co-axial' therewith, an operating lever having a pivot disposed outside the periphery of said spider, said lever having an integral loop "in the plane of said ratchet and encircling the same, "and a pawl pivoted to said lever and extending toward the center of said loop for co-operation with said ratchet.

16. The combination in a switch of a support, a spider switch contact pivotally mounted on one side thereof, an operating lever having a pivot apart from that of said spider, a spring on the opposite side of said support, and a lug on said lever extending through a-slot in said support with the spring in the path thereof as said operating member is actuated for switching.

17. The combination in a switch of a support, a spider switch contact pivotally mounted thereon, a metallic base for said spider having a ratchet thereon, the latter resting upon said support, an operating lever having a pivot spaced from the pivot of said spider, said lever having a loop between said support a'nd said base, and encircling said ratchet, and a pawl carried by said lever ratchet.

18. The combination in a switch of a support, a spider switch contact pivotally mounted thereon, a metallic base for said spider having a ratchet thereon, the latter and eo-operating with said resting upon said support, an operating lever having a pivot spaced from the pivot of said spider, said lever haying a loop between said support and said base, and encircling said ratchet, a pawl carried by said lever and co-operating with said ratchet, and spring means for urging said operating member to home position.

19. The combination in an electrical switch of a cylindrical box, a aswitch contact spider therein, an operating lever, a pawl and ratchet connection between said lever and said spider, said lever being pivoted adjacent the side ofsaid box, and having an integral finger piece projecting from said box. 1

20. The combination in an electrical switch of a cylindrical box comprising a base and a cover detachably secured thereto, said base having a plurality of contacts fixed thereto, said cover having a switch contact spider mounted thereon for co-operation with the contacts on said base, an operating member pivoted near the side 01 said box and carrying a pawl, and a ratchet secured to said spider to be actuated by said pawl, said operating member having a finger-piece projecting from said box.

21. The combination in an electrical switch of a cylindrical box comprising a base and a cover detachably securedthereto, said base having a pluralityof contacts fixed thereto, said cover having a switch contact spider mounted thereon for co-operation with the contacts on said-base, an operating member pivoted near the side of said box and carrying a pawl, a ratchet secured to said spider to be actuated by said pawl, and spring means to urge said operating member to home position.

22. The combination in an electrical switch of a casing member, a switch contact spider mounted therein, a ratchet secured co-axially thereof, an operating member pivoted eccentrically of said casing and having a loop encircling said ratchet and in the plane of the latter, and a pawl carried by said operating member and co-operating with said ratchet.

23. The combination in an electrical switch of a cap member, a support therein, a switch contact spider carrying a co-axial ratchet in face to face contact with said support, an operating lever pivoted adjacent the side of said cap member extending. between said spider and said support, and having a pawl co-operating with said ratchet, the rim of said cap member having bayonet slots for detachably securing said cap to a base member.

2 .1. The combination in an electrical switch, of a plurality of groups of contacts all in a single plane, said groups having one contact in common, a complementary switch member, means for effecting adjustment to' place said switch member into co-operation with any one of said groups, and means for manipulating said switch member to selectively make circuit connections with the contacts of the selected group.

25. The combination, in an electrical switch, of a plurality of contacts arranged in a plurality of circular groups, said groups having one contact in common, each group having a distinct center, a pivoted switch member, means for effecting adjust ment to place said switch member in coaxial relation with any one of said groups, and means for manipulating said switch member to selectively make circuit connections with the contacts of the selected group. 26. The combination in an electrical switch, of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups, said groups having one contact in common, each group having a distinct center, a pivoted support, a switch member pivoted upon said support, means for adjusting said support about its pivot to place said switch member in coaxial. relation with any one of said groups, and means for manipulating said switch member to selectively make circuit connections with the contacts of the selected group.

27 The combination in an electrical switch, of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said contacts beingarranged in a plurality of circular groups, said groups having one contact in common, each group having a distinct center, a pivoted support plate, a switch contact spider pivoted upon said plate, a setting member connected to said plate for placing said spider in coaxial relation with any one of said groups, and means for manipulating said spider to selectively make circuit connections with the contacts of the selected group.

28. The combination in an electrical switch, of a cylindrical box member, a plurality of contacts fixed therein, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups, each group having a distinct center, a support plate pivoted near the periphery of said box, a switch contact spider pivoted upon said plate, near the center of said box, a setting ring encircling said box and connected to the free end of said plate, for placing said spider in coaxial relation with any one of said groups, and means for manipulating said spider to selectively make circuit connections with the contacts of the selected group. F

29.v The combination in an electric switch of a cylindrical box comprising a base and a cover detachably connected thereto, said base having a plurality of groups of con tacts, a set of complementary contacts mounted on said.cover,a setting ring encircling said box and connected to said complementary contacts to place the same intoco-operation with any one of said groups, and means for manipulating said complementary contacts toselectively make circuit connections with the contacts of the selected group.

30. The combination of claim 28, in which the setting ring is connected to the support plate by an inwardly extending pin, co-

operating with an integral bifurcated lug on the support late.-

31. The com ination in j an electrical switch, of a plurality of groups of contacts all in a single plane, said groups having one contact in'common, a complementary switch member, means for-effecting adjustment to place said switch member into co-operation with any one ofsaid groups, and a single member for'operating said switch when in any one of said adjustments,

32. The combination in] anelectrical switch, of a plurality of groups of contacts having onecohtact in; common, a complementary switch-member, means for effecting adjustment to place said'switch member into co-operation with anyone of said groups, and a single lever having a pawl and ratchet connection with said switch for operating the same when in any one of said adjustments. 7

33. The combination in an electrical switch, of a plurality of contacts arranged in a plurality of circular groups, each 'ouphaving a distinct center, said groups aving one contact in common, a switch contact spider, means for setting said spider into coaxialrelation with any oneofsaid groups, and a single operating lever having a finger piece for operating said spider when in any one of said settings.

34. The combination in an electrical switch of a base, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups each group having a distinct center, a switch contact spider near the center of said base, means for setting said spider into coaxial relation with any one of said groups, and a single 7 operating lever pivoted near the periphery of said base and having a pawl and ratchet connection with said spider for operating the same when in any one of said settings.

The combination in an electrical switch of acylindrical box member, a plurality of contacts fixed therein, said contacts being arranged in a plurality of circular groups, each group having a distinct center, a switch contact spider mounted near the center of said box, means for setting center of said box, means for setting said spider into coaxial relation with any one of' said groups,aratchet coaxial of said spider,

an operating lever pivoted near the periphery of said box, and in the plane of said ratchet, said lever carrying a pawl co-operating with said ratchet, and having a finger piece projecting from said box.

37. The combination in an electrical switch of a box including a cap member, a support plate in said cap pivoted near the periphery thereof, a switching member pivoted upon said plate near the center of said cap, means operable from the exterior of said'box for setting the position of said plate, and a second means operable from the exterior of said box for moving said switching member about its pivot.

38. The combination in an electrical switch of a box including a cap member, a

her and its support, and the second arm projecting from said box and constituting a finger piece.

39. The combination in an electrical said support, said lever having an arm straddling said ratchet and carrying a pawl co-operatin with said ratchet and a setting ring encirc ing said box and connected to said support near the free end thereof, to set the position of the pivot of said spider;

40. The combination in. an electrical switch of a cylindrical box member, a plurality of contacts fixed thereon, said contacts'being arranged in a plurality of circular groups each group having a distinct center, a cover member for said box, a support plate Sand an operating lever having a com: mon pivot near the periphery of said cover, a switch contact spider pivoted upon said support, a setting ring encircling said box and having a portion in engagement with the free end of said support for setting said spiderin co-axialrelation with any one of said groups, and a pawl and ratchet connection between said operating lever and said spider;

41. The combinationof claim 40 in which the setting ring encircles the base member, and in which a latch retains said ring against accidental displacement.

42. The combination of claim 40 in which.

a spring urges the operating lever toward home position.

43. In a lighting switch for motor vehicles, separate sets of terminals for electric' lighting circuits for road and city use, said sets having one terminal in common, a switch member for'use in either of said sets of terminals, and a setting means for placing said switch member for use with either of said-sets of terminals or in position to rotate out of operative contact with either of said sets of terminals.

44. The combination in a lighting switch for motor vehicles of separate sets of switch terminal therein for road and city use, said sets having one terminal in common, a switch member, a single setting member for placing said switch member for use with either of said sets of terminals, and a single operating member manipulated by a single motion in the same-direction for' effecting all switch adjustments when the switch member is set for either of said sets of terminals. i 45. In combination in a lighting switch for motor vehicles of separate sets of switch terminals therein for road and city use, said sets having one terminal in common, a switch member, a single setting placing said switch member in otf position out of contact with either of said sets of terminals or in position to operate with member for.

either of said sets of terminals, a single 0peratin lever having a finger piece manipulated y a single motion 1n the same direction for efi'ectlng all switch adjustment required when the switch member is set for either road or city use, said sin le iece being. also free to be depresse w on the switch is set at ofi position.

46. In combination in a lighting switch for motor vehicles, separate sets of terminals for road and city use, said sets having one terminal in common, a switch member, operating means for effecting circuit chan es with the switch member in either of said settings, and a single setting member for shifting said switch member from one setting to the other without changing the position of said operating means relatively to the terminals of said sets.

47. The combination in a lighting switch for motor vehicles of separate sets of switch terminals therein for road or city use, said sets having one terminal in common, a switch member, a single setting member for placing said switch member for use with either of said sets of terminals, a single operating member manipulated by a single motion in the same direction for effecting all switch adjustments when the switch member is set for either of said sets of terminals, and means in said operating member for urging said switch member to an operative position when set for use with either set of terminals.

48. In combination, separatelsets of li hting circuit terminals, a lighting swltch member, means for setting said switch in operative relation to either set of terminals, said sets having one terminal in common, means effective when the switch member is in operative relation to either of said settinge to selectively establish circuit connections, and means to insure connection with a circuit terminal while the switch has an operative setting to either of said sets of terminals.

49. In combination, a lighting switch having se arate sets. ofterminals, a switch member a a ted to be set for connection in either set 0 terminals and effective when set in either setting to establish one of a plurality of possible operative connections, said mulch and terminals being so arranged that it is necessary to disturb the operative erative or in inoperative position relative to" said set of terminals, sald switch member belng constructed and arranged to effect operative connections exclusively when the setting member is in operative position, and to be inefiective to close circuit when the settlng member is in inoperative position.

51. The combination in a lighting switch for motor vehicles of separate sets of lighting circuit terminals for road and city use, said sets having one terminal in common, a switch member, asingle setting member for placing said switch member at will in operative position relative to either set of terminals or in inoperative position relative to said sets of terminals, an operating member for effecting all switching adjustments, said operatin member being free for manipulation at a 1 times and being arranged to urge the switch member to an operative osition whenever the device is set for roa ,use or for city use, whereby the lights are never out when the device is in either road or city setting, and never on when the device is in inoperative settin 52. The comblndtion in a lighting switch for motor vehicles separate means embodied therein for either road or for city use of a single settin member for placing said switch at wi for either of said uses or in inoperative position, an operating member for effecting all switching adjustments, said operating member being free for manipulation at all times and being arranged to urge the switch to an o erative position whenever the device is set or road use or for city use, whereby the lights are never out when the deviceis in either road or -city setting, and never on when the device is m inoperative settinfi. I

In witness w ereof-I have hereunto set my hand at Bridgeport, county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, this 12 day of December, 1919. f

ARTHUR C. GAYNOR. 

